History Taking in Reverse:Beginning With the Social History

摘要

The medical interview remains the cornerstone of patient for obtaining history, building relationships,and educating patients.A more patient-centered approach can improve not only patient satisfaction, but also physi-cian satisfaction in enhancing the relationship with our patients. One approach in refocusing on a patient-centeredmedical interview is to obtain the history in reverse of a standardizecl form and begih with the social history followed by the family history, medications, allergies, past medical history, and history of present illness. Thetime to interview each patie nt should not belengthened because of the orderof the history taking. This reverse orderhistory taking is an approach to consider; however, each interview is unique, and this approach is not appropriatefor all situations.